criticism

noun

ˈkri-tə-ˌsi-zəm How to pronounce criticism (audio)
Definition of criticismnext
as in critique
an essay evaluating or analyzing something every criticism of the movie has noted that there are major holes in its plot

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of criticism The long-term contract has raised criticism locally of how Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé is using his mandate as interim leader. — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026 The scholar Colin Burrow, discussing Helen Vendler recently, described the goal of criticism as telling other people how good something is. — Lola Seaton, The New York Review of Books, 17 Oct. 2026 The two designers’ departures were revealed Thursday after their collections faced criticism for the last few seasons. — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026 Typically, no one takes it personally, and if these sessions in meetings are routine, people will normally save their criticism for only those times. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for criticism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for criticism
  1. critique
  2. review
Noun
  • The announcement was flooded with critiques and the Mets’ post announcing the partnership on X was deleted and reposted multiple times.
    — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Inaba called out a lift in the couple’s samba routine and even read the definition of a lift during her critique.
    — Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of critique
Noun
  • There was no foul call or review on that sequence, and another loud chant followed from the crowd.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Voters in 2005 gave the green light for four-year mayoral terms beginning in 2007 but then voted in 2009 to go back to two-year mayoral terms, according to the charter review committee.
    — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of review

Browse Nearby Words

criticasters
criticism
criticisms
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Cite this Entry

“Criticism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/criticism. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on criticism

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about criticism

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